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DFO Atlantic Fisheries MPO Pêches de l'Atlantique Research Document 94/8 Document de recherche 94/8

Mainland Gulf Nova Scotia Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar) Stock Status

by

G. Chaput and R . Jones Science Branch Department of Fisheries and Oceans P.O. Box 5030 Moncton, New Brunswick E1C 9B 6

'This series documents the scientific 1La présente série documente les bases basis for the evaluation of fisheries scientifiques des évaluations des resources in Atlantic Canada. As such, it ressources halieutiques sur la côte addresses the issues of the day in the Atlantique du Canada. Elle traite des time frames required and the documents problèmes courants selon les échéanciers it contains are not intended as definitive dictés . Les documents qu'elle contient ne statements on the subjects addressed but doivent pas être considérés comme des rather as progress reports on ongoing énoncés définitifs sur les sujets traités, investigations. mais plutôt comme des rapports d'étape sur les études en cours .

Research documents are produced in the Les documents de recherche sont publiés official language in which they are dans la langue officielle utilisée dans le provided, to the secretari at. manuscrit envoyé au secrétariat . 2

ABSTRACT

Angling catches and catch-per-unit of effort (CPUE) in the angling fisheries form the basis of the review of the status of Atlantic salmon stocks of mainland Gulf Nova Scotia rivers . Angling catches and CPUE of large salmon (>= 63 cm fork length) were down in most rivers in 1993 relative to previous years but effort increased. Returns and escapements in 1993 and the average for the 1985 to 1992 period are presented for River Philip, East River (Pictou Co .) and West River (Antigonish Co.), the three larger river systems . Returns were estimated from assumed exploitation rates . Relative to the target egg depositions for these rivers (2.4 eggs per m2 of spawning and rearing area), escapements in 1993 met or exceeded the targets in River Philip and West River, but there was a 49% probability that the escapement of large salmon in East River was below target . The average escapement of both small and large salmon between 1985 and 1992 exceeded the targets in all three rivers. Juvenile salmon densities in the surveyed rivers are generally as high or higher than densities noted in the Margaree River (Gulf Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia) where the target egg depositions have been exceeded .

RESUME

Les captures absolues et les prises par unité d'efforts (PUE) dans les pêches récréatives sont à la base de l'évaluation de l'état de stock du Saumon atlantique des rivières de la Nouvelle- Écosse, Golfe du Saint-Laurent. Les captures ainsi que les PUE de grand saumon (longueur à la fourche égale ou supérieure à 63 cm) en 1993 étaient inférieures à celles des années antérieures mais l'effort totale a augmenté . Des estimations totales des retours et des géniteurs (survivants) en 1993 ainsi qu'en moyenne depuis 1985 à 1992 sont présentées pour les trois plus grandes rivières de la région, River Philip, East River (conté de Pictou) et West River (conté d'Antigonish) . Les dépôts d'oeufs par les géniteurs de 1993 ont dépassé le niveau cible (2 .4 oeufs par mZ d'habitat de fraie et d'élevage) pour River Philip et West River . Il y avait une grande chance, 49% de probabilité, que le niveau cible n'a pas été atteint dans East River en 1993 . DE 1985 à 1992, le nombre moyen annuel de géniteurs de petit saumon et de grand saumon a été supérieur au niveau cible . En moyenne depuis 1985 à 1992, les nombres de géniteurs de petit saumon et de grand saumon ont été supérieurs aux niveaux cibles . Les densités de juvéniles dans les rivières étudiées sont égales ou supérieures à celles déterminées pour la rivière Margaree (région du Golfe, Cap Breton, Nouvelle-Écosse) où les dépôts d'oeufs ont été supérieures au niveau cible. 3

INTRODUCTION

The rivers in the mainland Gulf Nova Scotia (Fig . 1) have several characteristics in common:

1 - generally smaller river systems of less than 700 km2 drainage area , 2- fall run rivers with the majority of salmon entering in September and October . Some rivers had summer runs in the past (ex . River Philip), 3- run components are predominantly large salmon with a smaller but variable small salmon component, 4- presence of other salmonids including brown trout (Salmo trutta) and brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) , 5- salmon in some of these rivers have been actively exploited by First Nations people for food.

The stock status report for these rivers is comparable to the first assessment presented in 1991 (Chaput and Jones MS1991b) which estimated the returns to the river based on angling catches and exploitation rates in the angling fishery. This method assumes that the angling catches reflect the abundance of salmon in the river, high angling catches representing higher abundance . Studies on other river systems including the Miramichi River, the Restigouche River and the Margaree River support this assumption (Chaput et al . MS1994a, MS1994b; Claytor et al . MS1994). Since angling catches are used, the returns represent the population which was available to the fishery and would not include any portion of the population which returned to the river after the angling season.

The following terms are used in the document:

Small Salmon - adult salmon of fork length less than 63 cm. Generally referred to as grilse. Usually salmon which have spent only one winter at sea. May contain some previous spawning salmon .

Large Salmon - adult salmon of fork length greater than or equal to 63 cm . Generally referred to as multi-sea-winter salmon . Contains varying proportions of one-sea-winter, two-sea-winter and three-sea-winter maiden (first time) spawners as well as previous spawners .

Early versus Late Early - refers to the time period from the spring up to and including Aug . 31 . Late - after Aug. 31 . 4

This stock status report considers the following points : 1 - harvests by user group for each size group of salmon , 2- estimates of returns to three main rivers based on the angling catches and exploitation rates , 3 - estimates of escapement, 4- target spawning requirements of the rivers, and 5- spawning escapements relative to the target .

Input from industry, user groups and other government agencies was obtained during a stock assessment workshop. The minutes of the workshop are provided in Appendix A . Minutes from the peer review held on Feb . 11 are provided in Appendix B . There were no specific comments related to the Gulf mainland Nova Scotia document . Summary sheets for the three main rivers (River Philip, East River .and West River) are in Appendix C .

1 - Harvests

Atlantic salmon in Gulf Nova Scotia have been harvested by three user groups : commercial, recreational and aboriginal food fisheries . Commercial fisheries have been closed since 1985. Aboriginal food fisheries have harvested both small and large salmon using various gear, including gillnets, spears, snares . There has not been any retention of large salmon (>= 63 cm fork length) in the recreational fisheries since 1985 .

Commercial Fisherie s

Commercial harvest of Atlantic salmon from Districts 11 & 12 (Northumberland Strait) and for Gulf NS Zone 6 are presented in Table 1 . The commercial fishery catch in the Northumberland Strait District 13 was estimated to have been comprised of approx . 80% non- local origin (Claytor et al . 1987) . Since 1985, the commercial Atlantic salmon fishery has been closed in Zone 6.

Aboriginal Food Fishery Harvests

In 1993, food fishery agreements were signed with two First Nations in Nova Scotia : Pictou Landing Band and Mill Cove Band. The terms of the agreements included allocations by size (numbers of fish) and fishing location :

Pictou Landing Band Agreemen t

River Small Salmon Large Salmon East R. (Pictou) 110 26 0 West R. (Pictou) 8 16 Merigomish Harbour 10 30 (includes Sutherlands, French and Barneys rivers ) River John 10 24 Other Gulf NS rivers 10 22 Total 148 352 5

Mill Cove Band Agreement

River Small Salmon LarRe Salmon River Philip . 0 50 Wallace River 0 50 Total 0 100

Food fishery harvests have occurred on several river systems in the fall of the year, mostly in October. Harvests in 1993 from the mainland Gulf Nova Scotia rivers were 400 large salmon and 4 small salmon . The largest proportion of the total catch of large salmon, 35%, was taken from East River (Pictou) (Table 2) .

The 1992 food fishery harvests for all of Salmon Fishing Area (SFA) 18 were estimated at 2,784 kg, consisting of about 586 large salmon and 65 small salmon (Locke et al. MS1993b). Most of this harvest was from East River and the Merigomish Harbour rivers (Sutherlands, French and Barneys) .

Recceational Fisherie s

Recreational catches since 1984 are available from the provincial license stub return system (O'Neil et al . 1991). Prior to 1984, recreational fisheries catch data were collected by the Dept. of Fisheries and Océans (DFO) Conservation and Protection officers (O'Neil and Swetnam 1984; Swetnam and O'Neil 1984) . Angling seasons for Atlantic salmon in the mainland Gulf Nova Scotia rivers are from Sept . 1 to Oct. 31.

Catches

Angling catches for the years 1984 to 1993, summarized from license stub returns, are presented in Table 3 . The 1993 data are preliminary . Catches for three rivers, River Philip, East River (Pictou) and West River (Antigonish) are summarized back to 1977 in Table 4 .

Catches of both small and large salmon in 1993 were generally down from 1992 and from the previous 5-year mean catch (Table 3). The few rivers where catches were up in 1993 also had increased effort (for example Wallace and Waugh) . The catches in the three larger river systems were also down in 1993, except for large salmon catches in River Philip (Table 4, Fig. 2). Lower catches than those of 1993 have been observed since 1986 except for East River where large salmon catches in 1993 were the lowest recorded since 1985 . Small salmon catches for East River were at the lowest level recorded since 1986 while for River Philip they were the second highest ever, after 1992 (Fig. 2). The small salmon catches for West River have fluctuated from year to year since 1986. 6

Abundance Indices

The catch-per-unit of effort (CPUE) was down in all rivers relative to 1992 and to the previous 5-year mean, except for West River (Pictou) where the CPUE was up from the mean (Table 3). In the three main rivers, the CPUE of large salmon was down in 1993 but has not fluctuated greatly since 1987 (Fig . 3). In all these rivers, the largest CPUE was recorded in 1986 and prior to 1985, there were large annual oscillations in the large salmon abundance (Fig . 3, Table 5). The small salmon CPUE has varied less than that of the large salmon but abundance was down in 1993 relative to 1992 (Fig. 3).

Volunteer anglers have participated in a logbook program since 1989 on three main rivers of mainland Gulf Nova Scotia and the CPUE from the logbooks is compared to that from the license stubs (Fig. 4). The logbook CPUE and the license stub CPUE tend to be positively correlated for both small and large salmon abundance in all three rivers (Fig . 4). The lower abundance of large salmon in 1993 relative to 1992 is evident in both data sets except for the large salmon CPUE from West River (Antigonish Co .) where the 1993 CPUE of the logbooks was greater than in 1992.

Catch Compositio n

The angling catch in SFA 18 (excluding Cape Breton rivers) has averaged 72% large salmon in the last five years (Table 3) . The proportion of large salmon by river is consistent, ranging between 68% (River Philip) and 76% (West River Pictou) since 1989 .

Timing of Catches

Small and large salmon runs in the Northumberland Strait and the Bay St . George rivers occur in the fall of the year, in Septémber through November . Logbook anglers have the highest success rate in October, especially for large salmon (Fig . 5).

Salmon counts at the South River counting fence between 1982 and 1987 also indicate the lateness of the run-timing in these rivers . In 1982, the first salmon was counted on Sept. 4 and the largest count (50% of the run) occurred during the second week of November (Chadwick et al . 1985).

Other Removals

Broodstock have been collected from East River . (Pictou) for the stocking of eggs in a streamside incubation box for Middle River (Pictou) . The number of fish removed from East River is low, generally less than 10 large salmon . Salmon from River Philip have been collected for the aquaculture industry of Scotia-Fundy region . 7

Illegal fishing (poaching). is known to occur in almost all the rivers . Estimates for 1993 were 77 small salmon and 677 large salmon (Table 6). Unreported catches for 1992 from all SFA 18 were estimated at 73 small salmon and 694 large salmon, representing altogether about 3,240 kg (Locke et al . 1993b).

2 - Estimation of Returo s

Methods

Returns of Atlantic salmon to some rivers have been estimated previously based on angling catches and exploitation rates borrowed from other rivers (Chaput and Jones MS1991b). Estimates of returns in recent years were obtained using the angling catch from license stubs . These are hook and release estimates and tend to overestimate the large salmon harvest relative to historical kill values . Analyses of the catches of small and large salmon from Margaree River indicated that license stub values tended to be from 1 .3 to 2.3 times higher for small salmon and 2.4 to 6.0 times higher for large salmon than the values obtained by . DFO officers (Claytor and O'Neil MS1990) . The exploitation rates for large salmon, which are estimated from mark and recapture programs, correspond to "kill" harvest rates since the tags are removed by the anglers but the large salmon are released back to the river . The exploitation rates used in these analyses were derived for the fall salmon fisheries in the Margaree River and they were estimated to have varied between 0.09 and 0.27 for large salmon and 0.13 to 0.39 for small salmon (Chaput and Jones MS1991a).

The returns for a given year and the average returns between 1985 and 1993 were calculated as follows (sample SAS program in Appendix D) :

L . Angling catch from license stub returns for a given year was adjusted by a bias factor selected at random from a uniform distribution for small salmon (range: 1 .3 to 2.3) and large salmon (range 2.4 to 6.0) separately . 2 . Exploitation rate for a given year (1985 to 1993) was selected from a uniform distribution ranging between 0 .13 to 0.39 (average 0.26) for small salmon and 0 .09 to 0 .27 (average 0.18) for large salmon. 3 . Returns to the river were calculated using the adjusted angling catch (from 1) divided by the exploitation rate (from 2) for each year . 4 . Average returns were calculated for the 1985 to 1992 period. 5 . Confidence intervals were determined by resampling 1000 times, steps 1 to 4 . The probability that the 1993 returns were greater than the average returns for 1985 to 1992 was determined directly from the resampled data . Point estimates of the returns are the median values. Confidence intervals are the 5th and 95th percentiles of the resampling distributions. 8

These estimates of returns represent the returns from the point where the angling fishery begins. Removals of fish below such a fishery, such as food harvests in the estuary would not be included in the estimation of returns .

Results

The estimated returns of small and large salmon for 1985 to 1993 and the average annual returns between 1985 and 1992 for the three main rivers are summarized below and in Table 7 .

Confidence Intervals (90%) River Returns (Median) Small Large Small Large Lower Upper Lower Upper 1993

Philip 383 493 235 698 271 1027 East (Pictou) 129 290 78 242 156 630 West (Ant.) 159 325 101 300 179 69 1 Avemge 1985 to 1992

Philip 300 465 237 378 352 609 East (Pictou) 238 642 190 294 487 842 West (Ant.) 230 363 183 291 283 480

Diff: (1993-Avg.) / Avg. Prob. that 1993 > Avg. Prob. that 1993 > Avg .

Philip +28% +6% 0.73 0.58 East (Pictou) -46% -55% 0.08 0.04 West (Ant.) -31% -10% 0.18 0.41

The 1993 returns of large salmon and of small salmon to River Philip were higher but not significantly above average returns . West River returns in 1993 were not significantly different from the average returns. The returns of both small and large salmon were significantly below the average returns to East River (Pictou) . The actual returns to East River (Pictou) in 1993 were 429 large salmon (290 plus the 139 large salmon harvested by the First Nation assuming all those fish were going into East River), which would still have been significantly below the average return. 9

3 - Estimation of escapements

Methods

Escapement refers to fish which were not harvested in fisheries or otherwise removed from the river. No adjustments were made for illegal removals or losses due to disease and predation. The escapements were calculated from the estimate of returns to the river minus the removals. Harvests of fish which have already spawned would not be considered as removals for calcûlating spawning escapement . In this analysis, only the removals that occurred in the river within the boundaries of the angling fishery were considered .

The escapement of small salmon was calculated by subtracting the angling catch (after adjustment) from the returns . The escapement of large salmon is calculated using the estimated returns minus 5% mortality from hook and release (using adjusted angling catch) . Confidence intervals and the probability that the escapements in 1993 were greater than the average between 1985 to 1992 were determined from resampling (see Section 2) .

Results

The estimated escapements of small and large salmon for 1993 and the average escapements between 1985 and 1993 for the three main rivers are summarized below and in Table 7.

Confidence Intervals (90%) River Escapement (Median) Small Large Small Large Lower Upper Lower Upper 1993

Philip 280 488 151 591 267 1023 East (Pictou) 95 287 50 202 154 626 West (Ant.) 116 323 64 251 177 686 Avemge 1985 to 1992 Philip 229 461 168 303 349 605 East (Pictou) 181 636 137 236 482 . 837 West (Ant.) 175 359 130 235 280 476 10

Confidence Intervals (90%) River Escapement (Median) Small Large Small Large Lower Upper Lower Upper

Diff: (1993-Avg.) / Avg. Prob. that 1993 > Avg. Prob. that 1993 > Avg. Philip +23% +6% 0.66 0.58 East (Pictou) -45% -54% 0.12 0.04 West (Ant.) -32% -12% 0.22 0.4 1

The escapements of both small and large salmon in 1993 were not significantly above the average escapement for 1985 to 1992 in River Philip. There was no change in escapement of large and small salmon in West River (Ant .) in 1993 relative to the previous 8 years . Large salmon escapement in East River (Pictou) was significantly below the average escapement for that river.

4 - Target Spawning Requiiements

The conservation spawning requirement was based on 2 .4 eggs/m2 of spawning and rearing area in the river. Rearing habitat surveys have been conducted on only two rivers in mainland Gulf NS (River Philip and South River) . For the rivers which were not directly surveyed, the amount of rearing area was calculated as follows (Anon . 1978) :

Rearing Units = Drainage Area X Rearing Area of Surveyed River

Drainage Area of Surveyed River

For example, for East River (Pictou Co .): where Surveyed River was River Philip, NS.

Rearing Area = 500 km2 X 962,000 m 2

650 km2

= 755,000 m2 .

On the basis of this rearing area, the egg requirements were calculated as habitat area X 2.4 eggs/m2. 1 1

Habitat areas and egg requirements for some of the rivers are summarized below.

Estimation of Habitat Areas for Mainland Nova Scotia Rivers

Reference Drainage Habitat Egg River River Area (km2) Area (m2) Requirements River Philip River Philip 650 962,000 2.31 million East River (Pictou) River Philip 500 755,000 1 .81 million Sutherlands River River Philip 45 66,600 0.16 million Barneys River River Philip 131 193,880 0.47 million French River River Philip 110 162,800 0.39 million West River (Ant.) South River 325 154,400 0:37 million South River South River. 200 95,000 0.23 million Pomquet River South River 147 70,000 0.17 million Afton River South River 50 23,800 0.06 million

The egg requirements can be translated to spawner requirements using the average biological characteristics of the stocks ; the average weight of small salmon and large salmon, the sex ratio, and the fecundity (eggs per kg body weight of female salmon) . Biological characteristics of the salmon stocks were obtained from samples collected from angling logbooks in East River, from broodstock seining in East River (Pictou) and from counting fence samples at South River. Because biological characteristics for a river were not available, we assumed that they were similar to those of the nearest sampled stock . The objective was to obtain all egg depositions from large salmon, the small salmon target is to ensure an equal male to female ratio in the escapement. A detailed calculation for East River (Pictou) is shown in Table 8 . The biological characteristics and the spawner requirements (# of fish) are summarized in the following table . 12

Small Salmon Large Salmo n Estimated Sample Size Estimated Sample Size

East River (Pictou) Percent Female 5% 43 60% 124 Mean Weight (kg) 1 .7 37 6.1 59 Fecundity (eggs/kg) 1764 1764 Eggs/Spawner 150 6456 Spawner Requi rements Small Salmon Large Salmon East River (Pictou) (Ref. River: East River Pictou) 59 28 1 River Philip (Ref. River: East River) 75 35.8 Suthenlamrds River (Ref. River: East River Pictou) 5 25

Barr:eys River (Ref. River: East River Pictou) 15 73 French River (Ref. River: East River Pictou) 13 60

Small Salmon Large Salmon Estimated Sample Size Estimated Sample Size South River Percent Female 3% 32 50% 22 1 Mean Weight 1 .3 14 3.7 59

Fecundity 1,764 1,764 Eggs/Spawner 69 3,263 Spawner Requirements Small Salmon Large Salmon South River (Ref. River: South River) 0 70 West River (Ref. River: South River) 0 113 Pomquet River (Ref. River: South River) 0 52 Afton River (Ref. River: South River) 0 18 1 3

Escapements Relative to the Targe t

Using the escapements of small and large salmon from section 3, the proportions of the spawner target met in 1993 and on average between 1985 and 1992 are as follows .

River Proportion of Spawner Target Probability Spawner Target Met or Exceede d

Small Large Small Large 1993

Philip 3.73 1 .36 1.00 0.76 East (Pictou) 1 .61 1 .02 0.86 0.51 West (Ant.) N/A 2.85 N/A 1 .00 Avemge 1985 to 1993 Philip 3 .05 1 .29 1.00 0.94 East (Pictou) 3 .07 2.27 1.00 1 .00 West (Ant.) N/A 3.17 N/A 1 .00

The escapements of large salmon in 1993 exceeded the target requirements in River Philip and West River (Ant.). The escapement of large salmon to East River in 1993 was equal to the target requirement in 1993. Since 1985, the escapements of large salmon have on average met or exceeded the target in all three rivers . Small salmon targets have been met or exceeded in all three rivers. The 1993 escapement of small salmon in East River was probably met .

7 - Other indicators of escapement status

Juvenile salmon densities have been shown to be positively correlated to spawning escapement estimates in the Miramichi and Restigouche rivers (Locke et al . MS1993a). The densities of fry are correlated to the spawning escapement the year before and densities of parr to the spawning escapement two years before . I

Juvenile salmon surveys have been conducted by DFO Science on numerous rivers within mainland Nova Scotia over the years (Table 9) . The rivers and the years when they were sampled by DFO are in the following table . 14

River Years Sampled

Philip 1986, 1987, 1988, 1993 Wallace 1978, 1993

River John 1993 East River (Pictou) 1978, 1992, 1993 Sutherlands River 1992 French River 1978, 1992 Barneys River 1992 West River (Ant.) 1978, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1991, 1992, 199 3 Pomquet 1992 Afton 1992

The successive removal method was used to sample the fish populations within a closed site partitioned by upstream and downstream barrier nets (Chaput and Claytor 1989). Population estimates were obtained using the formulation of Zippin (Zippin 1956) and the densities were estimated as the population estimate divided by the area (100 m2) of the closed site . Fork length (cm) and whole weight (0.1g) were obtained from all parr and from a subsample of the fry . An index of the extent of habitat utilization, the Percent Habitat Saturation (PHS) was determined based on the relationship between the territory size requirements of individual fish and the densities of juveniles in the site (Grant and Kramer 1990) . The PHS value of the salmon juveniles in the site is calculated as follows :

PHS = 100 *E Di*Ti*1 .19 where Di = density (#/m2) of size class i Ti = territory size (m2) for size class i predicted from the territory size/body size regression (Grant and Kramer 1990) .

In 1992 and 1993, some sites were sampled using a fixed-effort sampling in an open site . Fish were sampled by systematically sampling across the stream from bank to bank moving upstream after every pass. The relationship between the catch-per-unit of effort, expressed as catch of fry or of parr per 300 seconds of electroshocking time, and the density of fry or parr (as #/100m2) was determined by fixed-effort sampling within the closed sites prior to the removals for population estimation . There was a significant and well-defined relationship between the 15

CPUE of fry and parr and the density of each in the stream (unpublished data). Sites which were sampled by the fixed-effort method are identified in Table 9 .

Analysis of the data for all years and sites is not yet complete but for those rivers and years where the data are available, the densities of both fry and parr have been moderate to very high (Table 9). The PHS values for sites on several rivers have frequently exceeded 50%, indicating that the habitat is very productive and well utilized (Table 9) . The densities and PHS values obtained were as high and frequently higher than those from the Margaree River where target spawning escapement has been exceeded in the last 9 years (Chaput et al . MS1994a) . Based on this information, we would conclude that the spawning escapements have been adequate in most of these rivers .

Three other salmonids were encountered during electrofishing surveys in the Gulf Nova Scotia rivers : brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis), brown trout (Salmo trutta) and rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) (Table 10) . These other salmonids are potential competitors to Atlantic salmon juveniles. The relationships between salmon juveniles, brown trout and brook trout juveniles have been examined at one site on River Philip (Randall et al . 1989).

CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

The estimated returns and escapements of small and large salmon in 1993 were above average in two of the three main rivers in Gulf mainland Nova Scotia. Both these estimates are based on angling catches as reported from angler license stub returns which are then weighted by estimates of probable exploitation rates in the angling fishery . The adjustments to the angling catches and the exploitation rates were derived from studies of the angling fishery of the Margaree River in Gulf Cape Breton . Although the Margaree River also has a strong late-run component (Chaput et al . 1994a), the run timing in the mainland rivers appears to be even later and the exploitation rates which were derived for the Margaree River and applied to the mainland rivers may be too high . They could also be too low, exploitation rates on small rivers and small stocks may be proportionally higher than on larger river systems .

The angling fishery closes on Oct . 31 and the returns which are estimated correspond to returns up to and including that date . Any fish which enter the river after Oct. 31 were not accounted for and this proportion may vary annually . Low precipitation in the fall can delay the migration of salmon into these smaller river systems and anglers report a strong relationship between numbers of salmon in the river and water conditions, high water tends to bring in more fish (pers. comm. anglers at the assessment meeting, Pictou NS, Feb . 1, 1994) .

Better estimates of the returns to the rivers would require mark/recapture programs in order to estimate the exploitation rate for a given year or to estimate the returns independently of the angling catches . Returns after Oct. 31 may be a large component of the total run into the 16

river, the extent of which can only be determined by running trapnets within tidal waters and or counting fences in the rivers themselves .

The estimates of the illegal removals were very high relative to the estimated total returns to the river. For example, illegal removals in River Philip in 1993 represented 22% of the estimated escapement of large salmon in River Philip . This estimate of illegal removals is not contradictory to the angling group's perception of the extent of the illegal activity which takes ~place in these smaller rivers. Illegal fishing activity is difficult to quantify although an approach which will be taken in the future is to table the number of seizures of gear and fish and the apprehensions and the total time spent by enforcement officers each year . This should provide an indication of the relative size of the illegal activity.

Juvenile surveys have proven valuable in assessing the relative spawning escapement in recent years, especially when the densities of juveniles are compared to those from a river, such as the Margaree River, where returns, escapements and juvenile abundance are known . Such surveys should be continued in the future, especially in the absence of other methods of estimating escapement. Angling catches are often very small or not recorded in many small rivers and these do not correspond to the abundance of salmon . For example, angling catches are essentially non-existent from Afton River yet juvenile densities in that small river system were very high in 1992.

The abundance index based on the volunteer angler logbook data matches the abundance index based on the catch-per-unit of effort from the license stub returns . Logbooks are especially useful for determining the annual variation in accessibility of salmon to anglers . They would also be useful in estimating the returns to the river if estuary tagging programs were initiated as has been the case for the Margaree River salmon assessment (Chaput et al . 1994a).

The habitat areas for most of these rivers have not been quantified. The habitat area estimate for River Philip was obtained from a task force report, the actual survey data for this river have not been located. Even gross estimates of total bottom accessible area which could be obtained from topographic maps would be better than the prorated method of estimating habitat areas. Several river systems also have lacustrine habitat which could be used by juvenile salmon for rearing. Translating the egg requirement to spawners also requires biological characteristics data. Small salmon characteristics are readily obtained from angling catches but large salmon characteristics are presently deficient . There is good information for South River because all salmon passing through the fénce between 1984 and 1987 were measured and the sex ratio determined. Broodstock collection excursions have also provided an opportunity to sample the large salmon component from East River (Pictou) and River Philip . Samples of the First Nation food fishery is the best source for updating the biological characteristics of the large salmon . 17

REFERENCES

Anonymous. 1978. Biological Conservation Subcommittee Report . Prep. for Atlantic Salmon Review Task Force . 203 p.

Chadwick, E.M.P., D .R. Alexander, R .W. Gray, T.G. Lutzac, J.L. Peppar, and R.G. Randall. 1985 . 1983 Research on anadromous fishes, Gulf Region . Can. Tech. rep. Fish. Aquat. Sci. No. 1420: xi + 69p.

Chaput, G.J. and R.R. Claytor. 1989. Electrofishing surveys for Atlantic salmon from Margaree River, Nova Scotia, 1957 to 1987. Can. Data Rep. Fish. Aquat. Sci . No. 736. iv + 76p.

Chaput, G. and R. Jones. MS1991a. Assessment of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) in the Margaree River, Nova Scotia 1990. CAFSAC Res. Doc. 91/3 . 31p.

Chaput, G . and R. Jones. MS1991b. Evaluating spawning requirements, returns, escapements and surpluses to conservation levels of Atlantic salmon for selected Gulf Nova Scotia rivers. CAFSAC Res. Doc. 91/73. 23p.

Chaput, G., R. Jones, L. Forsyth and P. LeBlanc. MS1994a. Assessment of the Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) stock of the Margaree River, Nova Scotia 1993 . DFO Atlantic Fisheries Res . Doc. 94/6. 64p.

Chaput, G., D. Moore, M . Biron, and R. Claytor. MS1994b. Stock status of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) in the Miramichi River 1993. DFO Atlantic Fisheries Res. Doc. 94/(In press) .

Claytor, R.R., C.E. Léger, and R .W. Gray. 1987. Stock composition of Northumberland Strait, Nova Scotia Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) commercial fisheries . Can. Tech. Rep. Fish. Aquat. Sci. No. 1563 : viii + 19p .

Claytor, R.R. and S.F.' O'Neil . MS1990. Interpreting Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) angling statistics on the Margaree River ; Nova Scotia. CAFSAC Res. Doc. 90/24. 33p.

Claytor, R.R., R. Pickard, A . Locke, F. Mowbray, G. Landry, and A. Madden. MS1994. Status of Atlantic salmon in the Restigouche River in 1993 . DFO Atlantic Fisheries Res . Doc. 94/(In press) .

Grant, J.W .A. and D.L. Kramer. 1990. Territory size as a predictor of the upper limit to population density of juvenile salmonids in streams . Can . J. Fish. Aquat. Sci . 47:1724- 1737. 18

Locke, A., S. Courtenay, and G . Chaput. MS1993a. Juvenile Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) densities and egg deposition in the Restigouche and Miramichi rivers, New Brunswick . DFO Atlantic Fisheries Res. Doc. 93/26.

Locke, A., R. Jones, R. Pickard, G. Atkinson, and K. Davidson. MS1993b. Status of Atlantic salmon stocks in Salmon Fishing Areas 15, 16, 17 and 18. DFO Atlantic Fisheries Res . Doc. 93/28. 20p.

O'Neil, S .F., D .A. Stewart, K.A. Newbould, and R. Pickard. 1991 . 1988 Atlantic salmon sport catch statistics - Maritime provinces. Can. Data Rep. Fish . Aquat. Sci. No. 852: 79p.

O'Neil, S .F. and D .A.B . Swetnam. 1984. Collation of Atlantic salmon sport catch statistics, Maritime provinces, 1970-79 . Can. Data Rep. Fish. Aquat. Sci . No. 481 . 297p.

Randall, R.G., R.R. Claytor, E .M .P . Chadwick, and E. Mortensen. 1989 . Comparative production of Salmo salar (Atlantic salmon) and Salmo trutta (brown trout) in a small Nova Scotia stream. Proc. N .S. Inst. Sci . (1989) Vol . 39(3) :99-109.

Swetnam, D .A., and S.F. O'Neil . 1984. Collation of Atlantic salmon sport catch statistics, Maritime provinces, 1980-83 . Can. Data Rep. Fish. Aquat. Sci . No . 450. 194p.

Zippin, C. 1956. An evaluation of the removal method of estimating animal populations . Biometrics 12 : 163-189. 19

Appendix A. Minutes of the mainland Gulf shore Nova Scotia stock workshop.

Pictou, N.S. (NS DofF, Aquaculture & Inland Fisheries Division) 0900-1630 Hours, Tuesday, 1 February 199 4

Chairperson: Mike Chadwick DFO, Science, Moncto n

Recording Secretary : John Peppar DFO, Science, Moncto n

Attendees: Max Blouw Saint F.X. University, Biology, Antigonis h Peter Gay Cumberland County River Enhancement Association Darren Tower Cumberland County River Enhancement Association Bob Ferguson Pictou County Rivers Association Richard Kell Pictou County Rivers Association Harris MacKay Pictou County Rivers Association Mike McAdam Atlantic Salmon Federatio n Nancy Adams NS DofF, Aquaculture & Inland Fisheries, Pictou Leroy MacEachern DFO, Development, Antigonis h Ralph Young DFO, C&P, Picto u Leonard Forsyth DFO, Science, Margaree SEC Ross Claytor DFO, Science, Moncton Gerald Chaput DFO, Science, Moncton Kevin Davidson DFO, Science, Moncton Tim Lutzac DFO, Science, Moncton Ross Jones DFO, Science, Moncto n

1. Intrnduction - Purpose of Meeting and Framework of Workshops .

Mike Chadwick provided a general overview of the purpose of this meeting and an explanation of the "workshop" approach and its framework .

An overview was provided of the four major features associated with the "Stock Workshop" framework or approach :

1 . Roles of government and the public: the public wants to participate, money is scarce, agencies must remove redundancy, horizontal links in resource management, combine enhancement and assessment, DFO focus on analysis and structure . 2. Scientific basis for resoutze management: what are the problems?, assemble knowledge, make a model, where is model sensitive?, ask an answerable question, develop test, document repeatable methods, improve model, ask another important question. 20

Appendix A (continued) .

3. 'Watecshed management : fine-scale information, in-season management, all stocks, knowledge accessible'to everyone, identify problems in order of priority, best projects distinguish between alternative views of the resource, share tasks .

There is a different dynamic now, with more stakeholders involved in the stock assessment process. CAFSAC is gone. There will still be peer review of assessments, but these assessments will be developed and assembled through the stock workshop process first . Research documents will be prepared, with summary sheets provided for wider distribution.

2. Salmon Stock Status - Salmon Assessments .

Ross Claytor provided a general overview of how the salmon assessments are developed .

He outlined the "Assessment Process" as incorporating a framework of four basic components :

1 . Landings (catches): from the First -Nations, angling, and commercial fisheries . 2 Targets (spawning requirements) : using the value of 2.4 eggs/square metre . 3. Where we are now (spawning escapements) : total returns minus removals. 4. Forecasts: pre-season and in-season updates .

Mainland Gulf N .S. Salmon

Gerald Chaput presented information on the status of the Mainland Gulf Nova Scotia salmon stocks; a handout, detailing all material presented, was provided to attendees .

Points of Discussio n

Landings

First Nation catches need to be clarified and should be compiled ; numbers set re : the agreements should be indicated in the table . Meeting between angler associations and First Nations needed -sharing of information derived from this meeting, encouragement to participate in future involvements, provide a focus of "what's going on?", etc . Need some form of table to indicate level of unreported removals (poaching, disease, etc.); an account of the number of apprehensions, nets seized, etc . 2 1

Appendix A (continued) .

Discrepancies associated with the combining of angling stub return data - 1984 was the first year of stub use, different system before 1984, plus, this year coincides with the beginning of hook and release, commercial fisheries closures, etc . ; reporting of catch has likely changed, pre-1984 data certainly poorer, less reporting of catches (especially small salmon), etc . Angling catch per unit of effort (CPUE) low (except of West R . Pictou), indicates abundances down (below 1992 and 5-year mean) ; could be due to lateness of the run (many fish came in after angling). Need to examine data on run-timing vs discharge, and the possible effects on angling ; has run-timing to these rivers changed over the years? Pictou Harbour Environmental Protection Plan (PHEPP)(Bob Christie) to monitor environmental data starting this year ; future stock status meetings should include representatives from this group, Bob Christie needs to be contacted .

Tatget

The 2.4 eggs per rearing area (accessible stream bottom area) is thought to be a conservative estimate ; the 'real value' is likely above or below, likely below in many areas . The rearing area in River Philip needs to be measured. Biological characteristics data (sex ratio, weights, sea age, etc .) should be acquired from the First Nation catches (represents good First Nation project proposal for 1994), and from broodstock collections.

Returns

There must be an attempt made to make hook and release angling data as similar to actual former catch data as possible ; logbooks vs stubs quite often are very different in how such data are reported (what are stub returns actually recording?) ; good creel censuses are required to get better angling catch data, if data are to be comparable to historical catch data. A program to compare logbooks to licence stubs is needed on East, Philip and West Rivers. . "Hook and Release" = fish played, brought in, tailed, and released (i .e., comparable to fish caught, etc.). A mark/recapture operation should be employed to derive exploitation rate ; using a tagging study, creel survey, and fish trap or counting fence . The priority is River Philip and/or East or West Rivers . A creel survey of kelts might be useful for recovering tags . In conjunction with the study on East River, a study on Middle River should be done to evaluate the fishway, perhaps with a video camera . Smolts from Cobequid could be used to evaluate downstream .passage. Electrofishing surveys from DFO (3 sites/river) and NS DofF should be summarized for 1995 . 22

Appendix A (continued) .

- Electrofishing should be done on Sutherlands River to evaluate spawning .

Forecast

Assessments indicate rivers were above conservation requirements in 1993 ; should see similar situation in 1994, i .e., there should be some harvestable amount forcasted for 1994. How "Management" allocates such a surplus is not determined by "Science" .

Mainland Gulf N.S. Tro ut and Striped Bass

Points of Discussio n

Landings

NS creel surveys (1991-1993) on Northumberland Strait rivers (32 sites on 11 rivers), should be summarized . Data collected from NS DofF trout creel survey conducted during the "week of opening" of the angling seasons each year should be compiled and presented, and included in report for next year. Licence stug returns, and catch and effort by county, need to be summarized for 1966- 1993. Analysis of logbooks for anglers fishing Gulf rivers should be completed. Results of the 5-year sport•survey should be summarized for 1970, 75, 80, 85, and 90, and compared to logbooks and licence stubs .

Target

An inter-provincial team should develop a target for trout stocks in the Maritimes . A workshop is to be organized in the summer of 1994 . Electrofishing surveys should summarize catches of all salmonids, by species .

Returns

NS DofF electrofishing data should be tabled and included in report for next year. Trout stocking records should be summarized ; by location and year, etc . ; a monitering system is needed for future stocking programs, we need to know if the stocking is having a positive effect . Future meetings of stock status workshops should be linked to the RFAC meetings . 23

Appendix B. Minutes of peer review of anadromous stocks Gulf Region .

Minutes of Peer Review Anadtvmous Stocks Gulf Regio n February 21, 199 4

Review Committee:

M. Chadwick (Chair) J. Allard S . Bates A. Chiasson R. Cunjak J.-G. Godin

General Comments

1. The error associated with extrapolating information from one watershed to another should be estimated using the prorating techniques in hydrological studies . This type of error could be estimated from smaller watershed within rivers where the populations are well estimated. 2. In order to account for possible longterm trends, comparisons should be made with means over long time periods in addition to 5-year means . 3. A logbook program similar to the program in Nova Scotia should be considered for New Brunswick and PEI . 4. The mark-recapture experiments should be encouraged, but other independent estimates of stock abundance such as sport catch data and electiofishing should also be continued . 5. An introductory document summarizing terminology, the basics of mark-recapture experiments, and methods used in electrofishing, creel surveys, and fish fences should accompany next . year's assessments . The stock assessment documents should have the same format. 6. Summary sheets should be pictoral, perhaps maps with pie graphs by watershed of catches, spawning requirements, and spawning escapements . 7. A description of multi-species factors such as the abundance and dynamics of other stocks should be included in the assessments . 8. With some minor changes all the assessments were suitable to be published as research documents ; however future assessments should be put into a standardized format. 9 . Estimate tag-loss function using brood-stock experiments at hatcheries for Miramichi, Restigouche, and Nepisiguit rivers. The tag loss rate contributes significantly to the error in population estimates. 10. More time is required for reviews in the future and reviewers should focus on 1 or 2 assessments for critical evaluation . 24

Appendix B (continued).

11 . Techniques to summarize results from several estimators should be explored . 12. The decision of whether or not a value is a constant or a variable needs to be standardized . Variables are re-evaluated every year, where as constants can be aggregated over years to reduce the confidence interval .

Participants :

R. Claytor G. Chaput F. Mowbray G. Atkinson K. Davidson M. Biron D . Moore R. Pickard R. Jones D . Caissie 25

Appendix C. Summary sheets .

STOCK: River Philip (SFA 18) TARGET: 2.3 million eggs (358 large, 75 small salmon )

Year 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 MIN' MAX' MEAN '

Angling ha rvest' Large' 328 407 191 421 322 356 191 421 331 S ma II 169 114 155 164 179 171 76 179 15 6

Native harvest Larg e 50 SmaQ 0

Total returns Large 458 566 279 578 461 493 279 578 468 small 384 254 362 360 398 383 169 398 352

Spawning escapemen t Large 452 561 276 573 457 438 276 573 464 Small 286 187 268 262 292 280 124 292 259

% of Egg target met (large ) 126 157 77 160 128 136 77 160 130

' All angling catches are NS license stub estimates . MSW angling catch for 1986 to present Is hook-and- release estimates .

2 Min, Max are for 1986 to 1993 . Mean for 1988 to 1992 .

Recreational Catches : Angling catches of large salmon in 1993 were above 1992 and previous 5-year mean. Small salmon catches were below 1992 but above 5-year mean .

Methodologies : All the target eggs are to come from MSW salmon . Biological characteristics are based on data from East River (Pictou Co .) stock. Most of the angling catch occurs in October . Assessment of returns based on license stub angling catches adjusted to correspond to historical kill estimates which are then weighted by exploitation rates derived from fall angling fisheries in the Margaree River . Retums, escapements and percent of target based on median values from simulation which is why returns minus removals do not necessarily equal .escapement.

State of the stock : Escapements and egg depositions by large sâlmon have exceeded target requirements in 5 of the last six years. Small salmon target escapement exceeded in all years .

Forecast: No forecast is available yet. 26

Appendix C (continued).

STOCK: East River (Pictou Co.) (SFA 18) TARGET : 1 .8 million eggs (281 large, 59 small salmon )

Year 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 MIN' MAX' MEAN '

Angling ha rvest' Large 422 670 299 440 371 203 203 670 397 Small 129 87 109 121 111 57 57 129 97

Native harvest Large 139 Small

Total return s Large 585 942 407 619 523 429 407 942 615 smaU 303 196 247 270 251 137 137 303 25 3

Spawning escapemen t Large 579 933 403 614 519 287 287 933 610 Small 223 143 182 200 184 95 95 223 18 6

% of Egg target met (large ) 206 332 143 219 185 102 102 332 21 7

' All angling catches are NS license stub estimates . MSW angling catch for 1986 to present Is hook-and- release estimates .

2 Min, Max a re for 1986 to 1993 . Mean for 1988 to 1992 .

Recreational Catches : Angling catches of large salmon were down 50% from 1992 and previous 5-year mean. Small salmon catches were also down 50% .

Methodoloaies: All the target eggs are to come from MSW salmon . Biological characteristics are based on data from East River (Pictou Co .) stock. Most of the angling catch occurs in October . Assessment of returns based on license stub angling catches adjusted to correspond to historical kill estimates which are then weighted by exploitation rates derived from fall angling fisheries in the Margaree River . Returns, escapements and percent of target based on median values from simulation which is why returns minus removals do not necessarily equal escapement.

State of the stock : Escapements and egg depositions by large salmon have exceeded target requirements in 5 of the last six years. Small salmon target escapement exceeded in all years except 1993 .

Forecast: No forecast Is available yet. 27

Appendix C (continued) .

STOCK: West River (An tigonish Co.) (SFA 18) TARGET : 0.4 million eggs (113 large, 0 small salmon)

Year 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 MIN' MAX2 MEAN '

Angling ha rvest' Large 126 218 200 294 277 235 126 476 245 Small 67 90 152 65 136 72 65 152 10 3

Native harvest Larg e Small

Total return s Large 175 316 284 414 398 325 175 649 317 small 147 200 342 146 312 159 147 342 22 9

Spawning escapemen t Large 173 314 281 410 395 323 173 645 315 Small 108 147 253 108 233 116 108 253 170

% of Egg target met (large ) 153 278 249 363 350 286 153 571 27 8

' All angling catches are NS license stub estimates . MSW angling catch for 1986 to present is hook-and- release estimates .

2 Min, Max are for 1986 to 1993 . Mean for 1988 to 1992 .

Recreational Catches : Angling catches of large salmon in 1993 were down 13% from 1992 but up 5% from previous 5-year mean. Small salmon catches were 30% below the 5-year mean .

Methodoloaies: All the target eggs are to come from MSW salmon. Biological characteristics are based on data from South River (Antigonish Co .) stock. Most of the angling catch occurs in October . Assessment of returns based on license stub angling catches adjusted to correspond to historical kill estimates which are then weighted by exploitation rates derived from fall angling fisheries in the Margaree River . Returns, escapements and percent of target based on median values from simulation which is why returns minus removals do not necessarily equal escapement.

State of the stock: Escapements and egg depositions by large salmon have exceeded target requirements in all years since 1986 .

Forecast: No forecast is available yet . 28

Appendix D. Sample SAS program for incorporating uncertainty in returns, escapements and probabilities of meeting or exceeding target spawners .

** MAINNS93 .SAS bootstrap estimating returns and escapements ; OPTIONS LINESIZE = 120 PAGESIZE = 90 NOCENTER ; ****************************************************** this is the simulation step *****************************************ss************ . proc iml;

/*eastmsw ={162 620 389 422 670 299 440 371 2031 ; * East R. MSW 85-93 Stub ; eastlsw = {40 89 83 129 87 109 121 111 57) ; * East R. 1SW 85-93 Stub; * * East River spawner requirements; %let entete = 'East River estimates'; %let msw = 281 ; %let gril = 59;*/

/*WESTMSW ={122 476 198 126 218 200 294 277 235 1 ; * West R. MSW 85-93 Stub ; WESTISW ={34 126 84 67 90 152 65 136 72) ; * West R. 1SW 85-93 Stub; eastmsw = westmsw; eastlsw = westlsw; ** West River spawner requirements ; %let entete = 'West River estimates' ; %let msw = 113 ; %let gril = 0;*/ philipm =169 338 337 328 407 191 421 322 356 1 ; * R. Philip MSW 85-93 Stub ; philipg 112 111 76 169 114 155 164 179 171} ; * R.Philip 1 SW 85-93 Stub; eastmsw .= philipm; eastlsw = philipg; ** River Philip spawner requirements ; %let entete = 'River Philip estimates' ; %let msw = 358 ; %let gril = 75 ; a2 = 1 :8; al = 1 :12; Perm = 1000;* number of simulations; mswret = j(perm, 12, 0) ; gswret = j(perm, 12, 0); mswesc = j(perm, 12, 0) ; gswesc = j(perm, 12, 0) ; target = j(perm, 4, 0); 29

Appendix D (continued) . Sample SAS program for incorporating uncertainty in returns, escapements and probabilties of meeting or exceeding target spawners . xlsw = j(1, 9, 0);* dimensions the 1SW adjustment factor 1 replicates for each year; xmsw = j(1, 9, 0);* dimensions the MSW adjustment factor 1 replicates for each year; erlsw = j(1, 9, 0);* dimensions the 1SW -adjustment factor 1 replicates for each year; ermsw = j(1, 9, 0) ;* dimensions the MSW adjustment factor 1 replicates for each year;

**************************************************************** . do nperm = 1 to perm ;* loop for the NPERM bootstrap replications ; catdifm2 = 0; retdifm2 = 0; escdifm2 = 0; catdifl 2= 0; retdifl2 = 0; escdifl2 = 0 ; targ93g = 0; targg = 0; targ93m = 0; targm = 0;

*** adjustment factor for MSW catch and 1SW catch from license stubs*** : xlsw = uniform(xlsw)*0 .9 + 1 .3; xmsw = uniform(xmsw)*3 .6 + 2.4; erlsw = uniform(erlsw)*0.26 + 0.13 ; ermsw = uniform(ermsw)*0 .18 + 0.09;

*** estimated catches, returns, escapements by size group by year catchmsw = eastmsw/xmsw; avgcatm = catchmsw[1,a2][,+]/8; catdifm = catchmsw[1,9]-avgcatm ; if catdifm > 0 then catdifm2 = 1 ; retmsw = catchmsw/ermsw ; avgretm = retmsw[1,a2][,+]/8 ; retdifm = retmsw[1,9]-avgretm ; if retdifm > 0 then retdifm2 = 1 ; escmsw = retmsw - (catchmsw*0 .05); avgescm = escrosw[1,a2][,+]/8 ; escdifm = escmsw[1,9]-avgescm ; if escdifm > 0 then escdifm2 = 1 ; if escmsw[1,9]>=&msw then targ93m = 1 ; if avgescm >= &msw then targm = 1 ; catchlsw = eastlsw/xlsw ; avgcatl = catchlsw[1,a2][,+]/8; catdifl = catchlsw[1,9]-avgcatl ; if catdifl > 0 then catdifl*2 = 1 ; 3 0

Appendix D (continued). Sample SAS program for incorporating uncertainty in returns, escapements and probabilties of meeting or exceeding target spawners .

ret l sw = catch l sw/er l sw ; avgretl = retlsw[1,a2][,+]/8 ; retdifl = retlsw[1,9]-avgretl ; if retdifl > 0 then retdifl2 = 1 ; esclsw = retlsw - catchlsw ; avgescl = esclsw[1,a2][,+]/8 ; escdifl = esclsw[1,9]-avgescl ; if escdifl > 0 then escdifl2 = 1 ; if esclsw[1 ;9]>=&gril then targ93g = 1 ; if avgescl >= &gril then targg = 1 ;

mswret[nperm, al] = retmswllavgretmllretdifmllretdifm2 ; gswret[nperm, al] = retlsw~lavgretlllretdiflllretdifl2 ; mswesc[nperm, al] = escroswllavgescmllescdifmllescdifm2 ; gswesc[nperm, al] = esclswllavgesclllescdiflllescdifl2 ; target[nperm, {1 2 3 4)] = targ93mlltargmlltarg93glItargg ; end;

create bootl from mswret ; append from mswret; close bootl ; create boot2 from gswret; append from gswret ; close boot2; create boot3 from mswesc ; append from mswesc ; close boot3 ; create boot4 from gswesc; append from gswesc; close boot4 ; create boot5 from target; append from target; close boot5 ; quit; run;

proc univariate data = bootl ; title &entete; proc univariate data = boot2; title &entete; proc univariate data = boot3 ; title &entete; proc univariate data = boot4; title &entete; proc univariate data = boot5; title &entete; 3 1

Table 1. Commerclal salmon landings for Zone 6 (1967-1984) In kg (Claytor ataL 1987).

Northumberland Stralt - NS Gulf Cape Bre ton - NS Gulf NS Fisheries Statistical District FlsheNes Statistical District Zone 6 Year 11 12 13 Subtotal 2 3 Subtotal total (kg)

1967 10,503 29,885 40,388 10,728 2,124 12,852 53,240 1968 1,175 9,495 14,949 25,619 10,480 2,057 12,537 38,156 1969 9,968 11,050 21,018 7,831 1,598 9,429 30,447 1970 4,605 13,015 17,620 12,760 114 12,874 30,494 1971 1,689 5,597 7,286 4,485 255 4,740 12,026 1972 5,155 18,714 23,869 7,026 996 8,022 31,891 1973 2,562 15,788 18,350 8,043 1,297 9,340 27,690 1974 5,742 17,437 23,179 11,213 3,045 14,258 37,437 1975 2,080 9,824 11,904 10,670 1,057 11,727 23,631 1976 1,606 5,845 7,451 9,954 956 10,910 18,361 1977 4,137 9,171 13,308 11,490 1,423 12,913 26,221 1978 2,940 15,907 18,847 10,691 678 11,369 30,216 1979 169 4,549 4,718 3,117 82 3,199 7,917 1980 2,534 11,932 14,466 9,088 858 9,946 24,412 1981 1,822 8,283 10,105 4,978 479 5,457 15,562 1982 2,805 13,680 16,485 8,704 1,475 10,179 26,664 1983 1,863 9,770 11,633 11,621 1,026 12,647 24,280 1984 1,097 7,850 8,947 5,291 902 6,193 15,140 32

Table 2. Native catch estimates for Mainland Gulf Shore N.S. rivers provided by First Nation Bands and DFO fisheries officers, 1993.

Total Small Large Location: No ibs kgs No /bs kgs No lbs

Provided by First Nation Bands :

With Agreements :

East River 139 625.5 0 0.0 139 625 .5 Merigomish Hbr . 72 312.4 4 6.4 68 306 .0 River John 23 103 .5 0 0.0 23 103 .5

Without Agreements:

Afton River 15 74.9 0 0.0 15 165 74.9 Barneÿ s River 30 149 .8 0 0.0 30 330 149.8

Provided by DFO Fisheries Officers:

River Philip 50 225.0 0 0.0 50 225 .0 Wallace 50 225.0 0 0.0 50 225 .0 Waugh 25 112.5 0 0.0 25 112 .5

Total: 404 1828 .6 4 6.4 400 1822.2 33

Table 3. Annual summartes of catch and eNort for Mainland Gulf Shore N.S. rivers from 1984-93 using license stub returns. Mean =(1988 to 1992). The 1993 data are pretfminary. No. 8matl Large Unk. Total Rods Year River Angler Obs. Est. Obs. Est Obs, Obs. Est Obs. Est CPUE % Lo pe East: Pistou Co. 1984 70 14 14 39 40 0 53 54 423 474 0 .125 73 .6 1985 63 38 40 153 162 1 192 203 373 398 0 .515 80 .1 1986 152 84 89 582 620 0 666 709 1094 1151 0 .609 87 .4 1987 202 80 83 377 389 0 457 472 1214 1286 0 .376 82.5 1988 200 110 129 360 422 0 470 551 1072 1300 0 .438 76.6 1989 240 72 87 554 670 0 626 757 1365 1705 0 .459 88.5 1990 223 86 109 237 299 0 323 408 1069 1394 0 .302 73 .4 1991 232 94 121 343 440 0 437 561 1152 1526 0 .379 78.5 1992 162 88 111 295 371 0 383 482 745 967 0 .514 77 .0 1993 183 41 57 147 203 0 188 259 692 986 0 .272 78. 2

+/-1992 13% -53% -49% -50% -45% . -51% -46% -7% 2% -47% 2% +/- Mean -13% -54% -49% -59% -54% . -58% -53% -36% -28% -35% -1 %

River John 1984 5 1 1 0 0 0 1 1 20 22 0 .050 0.0 1985 6 2 2 55 58 0 57 60 55 59 1 .036 96.5 1986 21 29 30 146 154 0 175 184 179 188 0 .978 83.4 1987 47 24 25 69 70 0 93 95 224 237 0 .415 74.2 1988 47 44 52 101 118 0 145 170 211 256 0 .687 69.7 1989 59 15 18 82 99 0 97 117 214 267 0 .453 84.5 1990 47 49 62 33 42 0 82 104 232 303 0 .353 40.2 1991 36 28 36 66 85 0 94 121 151 200 0 .623 70 .2 1992 42 12 15 55 69 0 67 84 128 166 0 .523 82.1 1993 46 16 22 58 80 0 74 102 166 236 0 .446 78. 4

+1-1992 10% 33% 47% 5% 16% 10% 21% 30% 42% -15% -5% +/- Mean -0% -46% -40% -14% -3% ' . -24% -14% -11% -1% -15% 13 %

River Philip 1984 53 24 25 57 60 0 81 85 275 308 0 .295 70 .4 1985 60 11 12 65 69 0 76 81 291 311 0 .261 85.5 1986 103 107 111 325 338 0 432 449 608 640 0 .711 75.2 1987 160 71 76 317 337 0 388 413 1055 1118 0 .368 81 .7 1988 167 144 169 280 328 0 424 497 1012 1227 0 .419 66.0 1989 144 94 114 336 407 0 430 520 999 1248 0 .430 78.1 1990 147 123 155 151 191 0 274 346 873 1139 0 .314 55.1 1991 166 128 164 329 421 0 456 585 1112 1473 0 .410 72.0 1992 175 142 179 256 322 0 398 500 934 1213 0 .426 64.3 1993 211 124 171 258 356 0 382 527 1224 1743 0 .312 67. 5

+/-1992 21% -13% -4% . 1% 11% . -4% 5% 31% 44% -27% 5% +/- Mean 32% - 2% 9% -5% 7% . -4% 8% 24% 38% -22% 1 %

Wallace 1984 25 1 1 4 4 0 5 5 48 54 0.104 80.0 1985 28 5 5 16 17 0 21 22 80 85 0 .263 76.2 1986 71 16 16 113 115 0 129 131 222 234 0 .581 87 .6 1987 79 11 11 48 50 0 59 61 269 285 0.219 81 .4 1988 81 14 16 28 33 0 42 49 243 295 0.173 66 .7 1989 67 10 12 27 33 0 37 45 191 239 0.194 73 .0 1990 54 11 14 23 29 0 34 43 198 258 0 .172 67 .6 1991 104 31 40 69 89 0 100 128 302 400 0 .331 69 .0 1992 104 23 29 67 84 0 90 113 327 425 0 .275 74 .4 1993 176 21 29 72 99 0 93 128 631 899 0 .147 77 . 4

+/-1992 69% -9% 0% 7% 18% . 3% 13% 93% 112% -47% 4% +/- Mean 115% 18% 31% 68% 85% . 53% 69% 150% 178% -36% 10% . 34

Table 3. Contlnued ._

Alo. Small Large Unk Total Roda Year River Angler Obs. Est Obs. Est. Obs. Obs. Est. Obs. Est CPUE % Large Waugh 1984 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 8 0.000 1985 4 0 0 1 1 0 1 1 5 5 0 .200 100 .0 1986 15 9 10 27 29 0 36 39 32 34 1 .125 75 .0 1987 23 0 0 7 7 0 7 7 45 48 0.156 100 .0 1988 21 8 9 19 22 0 27 32 65 79 0 .415 70 .4 1989 24 4 5 4 5 0 8 10 74 92 0.108 50 .0 1990 17 14 18 14 18 0 28 35 75 98 0 .373 50 .0 1991 4 1 15 19 83 . 106 0 98 126 204 270 0.480 84 .7 1992 27 11 14 15 19 0 26 33 94 122 0.277 57 .7 1993 34 13 18 21 29 0 34 47 143 204 0.238 61 . 8

+/-1992 26% 18% 29% 40% 53% 31% 42% 52% 67% -14% 7% +/- Mean 31% 25% 38% -22% -15% -9% -0% 40% 54% -28% -1 %

West- An*onlah Co. 1984 20 17 17 2 2 0 19 19 96 107 0.198 10 .5 1985 33 32 34 115 122 0 147 156 211 225 0 .697 78 .2 1986 72 116 126 438 476 0 554 602 498 524 1 .112 79 .1 1987 117 80 84 188 198 0 268 282 699 741 0.383 70 .1 1988 89 57 67 107 126 0 164 192 377 457 0 .435 65 .2 1989 99 74 90 180 218 0 254 307 420 525 0 .605 70 .9 1990 126 120 152 158 200 0 278 351 536 699 0.519 56 .8 1991 132 51 65 229 294 0 280 359 553 732 0.506 81 .8 1992 144 108 136 220 277 0 328 412 576 748 0.569 67 .1 1993 133 52 72 170 235 0 222 306 585 833 0.379 76 .6

+/-1992 -8% -52% -47% -23% -15% . -32% -26% 2% 11% -33% 14% +/- Mean 13% -37% -29% -5% 5% -15% -6% 19% 32% -28% 12 %

West Plctou Co. 1984 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 .00 0 1985 8 2 2 4 4 0 6 6 29 31 0.207 66 .7 1986 12 4 4 4 4 0 8 8 36 38 0 .222 50 .0 1987 45 14 15 25 26 0 39 41 233 247 0.167 64 .1 1988 49 21 25 37 43 0 58 68 257 312 0.226 63 .8 1989 60 12 15 50 60 0 62 75 340 425 0.182 80 .6 1990 51 27 34 30 '38 0 57 72 193 252 0 .295 52.6 1991 91 35 45 118 151 0 153 196 484 641 0 .316 77 .1 1992 89 25 31 100 126 0 125 157 317 412 0 .394 80 .0 1993 110 30 41 109 150 0 139 192 442 630 0.314 78 . 4

+1-1992 24% 20% 32% 9% 19% . 11% 22% 39% 53% -20% -2% +/-Mean 62% 25% 37% 63% 79% . 53% 69% 39% 54% 11% 11 %

Other Rivers 1984 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 5 0 .000 1985 9 0 0 4 4 0 4 4 14 14 0 .286 100 .0 1986 14 6 6 7 7 0 13 13 30 31 0 .433 53 .8 1987 22 12 12 16 17 0 28 29 69 72 0 .406 57 .1 1988 12 2 2 8 9 0 10 11 36 43 0 .278 80 .0 1989 12 16 19 3 3 0 19 22 43 53 0 .442 15.8 1990 18 11 14 10 12 0 21 26 50 64 0 .420 47 .6 1991 28 8 10 16 20 0 24 30 76 102 0 .316 66.7 1992 22 18 23 14 17 0 32 41 122 158 0 .262 43.8 1993 30 2 2 7 10 0 9 12 84 120 0 .107 77. 8

+/-1992 36% -89% -91% -50% -41% . -72% -71% -31% -24% -59% 78% +/-Mean 63% -82% -85% -31% -18% . -58% -54% 28% 43% -69% 53% 35

Table 3. Contlnued ._

No. Small Large Unk. Total Roda Year River Angler Obs. Est Obs. Est. Obs obs. Est obs. Est CPUE % Largo Mainland N.S. Totals : 1984 179 57 58 102 106 0 159 164 875 979 0.182 64 .2 1985 211 90 95 413 437 1 504 533 1058 1128 0 .476 82 .1 1986 460 371 392 1642 1743 0 2013 2135 2699 2840 0.746 81 .6 1987 695 292 306 1047 1094 0 1339 1400 3808 4034 0.352 78 .2 1988 666 400 469 940 1101 0 1340 1570 3273 3969 0 .409 70 .1 1989 705 297 360 1236 1495 0 1533 1853 3646 4554 0.420 80 .6 1990 683 441 558 656 829 0 1097 1385 3226 4207 0.340 59 .8 1991 830 390 500 1253 1606 0 1642 2106 4034 5344 0 .407 76 .3 1992 765 427 538 1022 1285 0 1449 1822 3243 4211 0 .447 70 .5 1993 923 299 412 842 1162 0 1141 1573 3967 5651 0 .288 73 . 8

+/-1992 21% -30% -23% - 18% -10% . -21% -14% 22% 34% -36% 5% +/- Mean 26% -24% -15% - 18% -8% . - 19% -10% 14% 27% -29% 3%

- "Other Rivers" includes Bamey's, F re nch, Middle : Pictou Co ., Pomquet, Pugwash, Shinimikas, South, Sutherland, Tidnish, Tracadie, and Wright 36

Table 4. Historical catch and effort data for 3 index Gulf N.S. rivers using DFO fisheries officer estimates (1977-1983) and license stub returns (1984-1993).

CPUE Small Large Effort Small Large Total Year River Salmon Salmon Roddays Salmon Salmon Salmon

East River Pictou 1977 0 25 88 0 .000 0 .284 0 .284 1978 0 85 120 0 .000 0 .708 0 .708 1979 0 10 100 0 .000 0 .100 0 .100 1980 2 148 600 0.003 0 .247 0 .250 1981 2 38 150 0 .013 0.253 0 .267 1982 12 1 416 0 .029 0.002 0 .031 1983 7 31 345 0.020 0.090 0 .110 1984 14 40 474 0 .030 0.084 0 .114 1985 40 162 398 0 .101 0.407 0 .508 1986 89 620 1151 0 .077 0.539 0 .616 1987 83 389 1286 0.065 0 .302 0 .367 1988 129 422 1300 0 .099 0 .325 0 .424 1989 87 670 1705 0.051 0 .393 0 .444 1990 109 299 1394 0 .078 0 .214 0.293 1991 121 440 1526 0 .079 0 .288 0 .368 1992 111 371 967 0.115 0 .384 0.498 1993 57 203 986 0.058 0 .206 0.264

River Philip 1977 4 96 840 0.005 0 .114 0.119 1978 0 22 190 0.000 0 .116 0.116 1979 7 20 720 0.010 0 .028 0.038 1980 4 6 20 0 .200 0 .300 0.500 1981 5 8 25 0 .200 0 .320 0 .520 1982 37 78 1050 0 .035 0 .074 0.110 1983 11 87 873 0 .013 0 .100 0 .112 1984 25 60 308 0.081 0 .195 0 .276 1985 12 69 311 0.039 0.222 0 .260 1986 111 338 640 0 .173 0.528 0 .702 .1987 76 337 1118 0 .068 0.301 0 .369 1988 169 328 1227 0 .138 0.267 0 .405 1989 114 407 1248 0 .091 0.326 0 .417 1990 155 191 1139 0 .136 0.168 0 .304 1991 164 421 1473 0 .111 0 .286 0 .397 1992 179 322 1213 0 .148 0 .265 '0 .413 1993 171 356 1743 0 .098 0 .204 0 .302

West River Antigonish 1977 1 0 2 0 .500 0 .000 0 .500 1978 6 53 298 0 .020 0 .178 0 .198 1979 0 6 35 0 .000 0 .171 0 .171 1980 37 43 300 0.123 0.143 0 .267 1981 2 18 89 0 .022 0 .202 0 .225 1982 5 0 140 0 .036 0 .000 0 .036 1983 4 28 46 0 .087 0 .609 0 .696 1984 17 2 107 0 .159 0 .019 0 .178 1985 34 122 225 0 .151 0 .542 0 .693 1986 126 476 524 0.240 0 .908 1 .149 1987 84 198 741 0 .113 0 .267 0 .381 1988 67 126 457 0 .147 0 .276 0 .422 1989 90 218 525 0 .171 0 .415 0 .587 1990 152 200 699 0.217 0 .286 0 .504 199,1 65 294 732 0 .089 0 .402 0 .490 1992 136 277 748 0.182 0 .370 0 .552 1993 72 235 833 0 .086 0 .282 0 .369 37

Table 5. Annual summaries of catch per unit effort for 3 Index Gulf N.S. rivera using lk•ense stub retums and /ogbooka. Mean(logbook) =(1888 to 1992). Mean(llcenae) =(1988 to 1092). 1983 results are preliminary.

CPUE Small Salmon Large Salmon Logbook License Stubs Year River Log Stub Log Stub Small Large Roda Small Large Roda

East: Plctou Co. 1984 . 0.030 0.084 . . . 14 40 474 1985 . 0.101 . 0.407 . . . 40 162 398 1986 0.077 . 0.539 . . . 89 620 1151 1987 . 0.065 . 0.302 . . . 83 389 1286 1988 . 0.099 . 0.325 . . . 129 422 1300 1989 0.026 0.051 0.338 0.393 5 66 195 87 670 1705 1990 0.127 0.078 0.355 0.214 14 39 110 109 299 1394 1991 0.066 0.079 0.209 0.288 6 19 91 121 440 1526 1992 0.106 0.115 0.545 0.384 7 36 66 111 371 967 1993 0.087 0.058 0.145 0.206 6 10 69 57 203 986

+/-1992 - 189'0 -50% -73% -46% -14% -72% 5% -49% -45% 2% +/- Mean 7% -329'0 -60% -36% -25% -75% -40% -499'0 -549'0 -28%

River Philip 1984 . 0.081 . 0.195 25 60 308 1985 . 0.039 . 0.222 12 69 311 1986 . 0.173 . 0.528 111 338 640 1987 . 0.068 . 0.301 76 337 1118 1988 . 0.138 . 0.267 169 328 1227 1989 0.079 0.091 0 .400 0 .326 13 66 165 114 407 1248 1990 0.275 0.136 0 .246 0 .168 39 35 142 155 191 1139 1991 0.108 0.111 0 .362 0 .286 20 67 185 164 421 1473 1992 0.136 0.148 0 .193 0 .265 19 27 140 179 322 1213 1993 0.126 0.098 0 .184 0 .204 24 190 171 356 1743

+/-1992 -7% -34% -4% -23% 26% 309b 36% -49'0 119'0 44% +/- Mean - 15% -21% - 39% -22% 59'a -28% 20% 9% 7% 38%

West: Antigonish Co. 1984 . 0.159 . 0.019 . . . 17 2 107 1985 . 0.151 . 0.542 . . . 34 122 225 1986 . 0.240 . 0.908 . . . 126 476 524 1987 . 0.113 . 0.267 . - . 84 198 741 1988 . 0.147 . 0.276 . . . 67 126 457 1989 0.167 0 .171 0 .476 0.415 14 40 84 90 218 525 1990 0.322 0 .217 0 .322 0.286 38 38 118 152 200 699 1991 0.070 0 .089 0 .549 0.402 10 78 142 65 294 732 1992 0.171 0 .182 0 .358 0.370 21 44 123 136 277 748 1993 0.045 0 .086 0 .423 0.282 5 47 111 72 235 83 3

+/-1992 -74% -52% 18% -24% -76% 7% - 109'0 -47% -15% 11% +/- Mean -75% -46% - 1% -19% -76% - 6% -5% -29% 5% 32% 38

Table 6. Unreported catch estimates for Mainland Gulf Shore N.S. rivers provided by DFO fisheries officers, 1993.

Total Small Large Location: No lbs kgs No lbs k No lbs kas Pictou Co:

East River 50 5 8 .0 45 202.5 MacLellans Brk 30 3 4.8 27 121 .5 River John 75 8 12 .8 68 306 .0 Barney's 40 4 6.4 36 162 :0 French 20 2 3 .2 18 81 .0 Sutherlands 15 2 3 .2 14 63 .0 West River 30 3 4.8 27 121 .5

Cumberland Co:

River Philip 130 13 20.8 117 526 .5 Shinimikas 100 10 16.0 90 405.0 Wallace 50 5 8.0 45 202.5 Pugwash 30 3 4.8 27 121 .5 Tidnish 5 1 1 .6 5 22.5

Colchester Co:

Waugh 50 5 8.0 45 202.5 French 40 4 6.4 36 162.0

Antigonish Co:

Pomquet 20 2 3.2 18 81,0 Tracadie 25 3 4.8 23 103 .5 South 10 1 1 .6 9 40.5 Afton 0 0 0 .0 0 0.0 West River 30 3 4 .8 27 121 .5

Total : 77 123.2 677 3046.5 39

Table 7. Estimated returns and escapements of large and small salmon for three rivers In Gulf mainland Nova Scotia for 1985 to 1993 .

Large Salmon Small Salmon Year Returns Escapement % of Target Returns Escapement % of Target

East River (Pictou Co.) 1985 224 222 79% 88 64 108% 1986 855 847 301% 204 151 256% 1987 540 536 191% 195 147 249% 1988 585 579 206% 303 223 378% 1989 942 933 332% 196 143 242% 1990 407 403 143% 247 182 308% 1991 619 614 219% 270 200 339% 1992 523 519 185% 251 184 312% 1993 429 287 102% 137 95 161 %

Mean (85-92) 642 636 226% 238 181 307%

River Philip 1985 97 96 27% 27 20 27% 1986 465 460 128% 250 184 245% 1987 477 472 132% 169 124 165% 1988 458 452 126% 384 286 381% 1989 566 561 157% 254 187 249% 1990 279 276 77% 362 268 357% 1991 578 573 160% 360 262 349% 1992 461 457 128% 398 292 389% 1993 493 488 136% 383 280 373% Mean (85-92) 465 461 129% 300 229 305%

West River (Antigonish Co.) 1985 174 172 152% 76 55 N/A 1986 649 645 571% 278 204 N/A 1987 279 277 245% 190 142 N/A 1988 175 173 153% 147 108 N/A 1989 316 314 278% 200 147 N/A 1990 284 281 249% 342 253 N/A 1991 414 410 363% 146 108 N/A 1992 398 395 350% 312 233 N/A 1993 325 323 286% 159 116 N/A Mean (85-92) 363 359 318% 230 175 N/A 40

Table 8. Estimation of spawner requirements for East River (Pictou).

Habitat area (sq .m.) 755,000 Optimal Egg Deposition (2 .4 eggs/sq.m.) 2.4

Total Egg Requirements 1,812,00 0

Biological Characteristics Fecundity 1,764 eggs/kg Small salmon % female • 5 mean wt. (kg) 1 .7 Large salmon % female 60 mean wt . (kg) 6. 1

Eggs per small salmon spawner = eggs/kg * mean wt(kg) * % female = 1764' 1 .7' 5% = 150

Eggs per large salmon spawner = 1764 * 6.1 * 60% = 6,456

Required number of large salmon = 281 ----» 168 female 112 male

Deficit males = 56

Small spawners to obtain deficit males = 56 / 0 .95 = 59

Spawning Requirements : Large 281 Small 59 Table 9. Results of electroflshing surveys on Mainland Gulf Shore N .S. rivers for 1986 to 1993,

if of Llfe 5 Min Mean EsL Territory Total County River Year Month Day Site # Sweeps Stage Catch Catch Lgth Density Slze PHS PF s

Antigonish County Afton 1992 Aug. 12 1 0.5 Fry . 21 Afton 1992 Aug. 12 1 0.5 Parr . 15 Afton 1992 Aug. 12 2 0.5 Fry 6.1 111 0.166 21 .9% Afton 1992 Aug . 12 2 0.5 Parr 11 .3 50 0.829 48 .9% 70.8% Afton 1992 Aug . 12 3 0.5 Fry 5.6 214 0.133 33 .8% Afton 1992 Aug . 12 3 0 .5 Parr 10.9 54 0.755 48 .99'0 82.7%

Pomquet 1992 Aug. 11 1 0.5 Fry 5 .5 161 0.127 24 .3% Pomquet 1992 Aug. 11 1 0 .5 Parr 9.4 22 0 .513 13.2% 37 .5% Pomquet 1992 Aug. 11 2 0.5 Fry 5 .5 359 0.127 54 .1% Pomquet 1992 Aug. 11 2 0 .5 Parr 9.2 89 0 .485 51 .4% 105.4% Pomquet 1992 Aug. 11 3 0.5 Fry 5 .4 172 0.121 24.7% Pomquet 1992 Aug. 11 3 0 .5 Parr 9.2 51 0 .485 29.2% 53.9% Pomquet 1992 Aug. 11 4 0.5 Fry 4.9 257 0.094 28 .6% Pomquet 1992 Aug. 11 4 0 .5 Parr 9.3 99 0 .499 58.9% 87.5% Pomquet 1992 Aug. 11 5 0.5 Fry 5 .4 166 0.121 23 .8% Pomquet 1992 Aug . 11 5 0 .5 Parr 8.6 96 0 .406 46.79'0 70.5% Pomquet 1992 Aug. 12 6 3 Fry 5 5 .7 21 0 .139 3 .5% Pomquet 1992 Aug . 12 6 3 Parr 30 9.9 27 0.587 19.0% 22 .4%

West 1993 Sept . 8 2 0.5 Fry 87 4.9 West 1993 Sept. 8 2 0.5 Parr 33 9.3 West 1993 Sept. 8 4 3 Fry 47 121 4.6 165 0.079 15 .6% West 1993 Sept. 8 4 3 Parr 23 38 8 .8 51 0.432 26 .3% 41 .9% West 1992 Aug. 4 2 4 Fry 226 4.4 130 0.071 10 .9% West 1992 Aug. 4 2 4 Parr 42 9.4 38 0 .513 23 .2% 34 .20% West 1992 July 30 4 3 Fry 249 4.2 201 0.063 14 .9% West 1992 July 30 4 3 Parr 85 8.2 86 0 .359 36.6% 51 .6% West 1991 Aug . 2 4 4 Fry 249 4.0 West 1991 Aug. 2 4 4 Parr 81 8.2 West 1988 July 28 4 .2 Fry 274 3.8 West 1988 July 28 4.2 Parr 71 8.1 West 1987 July 22 4 .1 Fry 485 3.5 West 1987 July 22 4.1 Parr 155 8.2 West 1987 July 22 4.2 Fry 240 3.5 West 1987 July 22 4.2 Parr 125 8.2 - West 1986 June 4 4.1 Fry 29 2.7 West 1986 July 22 4.1 Fry 256 4 .2 West 1986 July 22 4.1 Parr 42 8.8 West 1986 June 4 4.1 Parr 111 7.4 West 1986 July 22 4.2 Fry 240 4.2 ~ West 1986 July 22 4.2 Parr 125 8.6 Table 9. Contlnued ....

# of Llfe 5 Min Mean Est. Territory Total County River Year Month Day Site # Sweeps Stage Catch Catch Lgth Density Slze PHS PHS

Cumberland County River Philip 1993 Sept. 15 1 3 F ry 1 0 4.7 River Philip 1993 Sept. 15 1 3 Parr 8 33 8.8 36 0 .432 18.6% 18.6% River Philip 1993 Sept. 15 5 0.5 Fry 4 5.4 River Philip 1993 Sept . 15 5 0 .5 Parr 3 9 .3 River Philip 1993 Sept. 15 6 0.5 Fry 90 5.8 River Philip 1993 Sept . 15 6 0 .5 Parr 33 8.8 River Philip 1988 July 24 1 Fry 216 3.7 River Philip 1988 July 24 1 Parr 25 8 .9 River Philip 1986 June 6 1 F ry 70 3.1 River Philip 1986 Aug. 11 1 Fry 135 4.5 River Philip 1986 June 6 1 Parr 20 8 .6 River Philip 1986 Aug. 11 1 Parr 24 9 .7 River Philip 1986 Aug. 12 2 Fry 74 4 .5 River Philip 1986 Aug. 12 2 Parr 28 8 .7 River Philip 1986 Aug. 15 3 Fry 170 5.1 River Philip 1986 Aug. 15 3 Parr 52 9 .5 River Philip 1986 Aug. 20 4 Fry 216 5.8 River Philip 1986 Aug. 20 4 Parr 25 10.8

Wallace 1993 Sept. 14 1 0 .5 Fry 14 6.3 Wallace 1993 Sept. 14 1 0 .5 Parr 10 10.2 Wallace 1993 Sept. 14 2 0 .5 Fry 11 5.3 Wallace 1993 Sept. 14 2 0 .5 Parr 3 10 .2 Wallace 1993 Sept. 14 3 0.5 Fry 37 6 Wallace 1993 Sept. 14 3 0.5 Parr 31 9 .8 Wallace 1993 Sept 14 4 0 .5 Fry 24 5.9 Wallace 1993 Sept 14 4 0.5 Parr 26 9 .6 Wallace 1993 Sept. 14 5 0.5 Fry 25 6.1 Wallace 1993 Sept. 14 5 0.5 Parr 14 11 . 1

Pictou County . Barneys 1992 Aug . 13 1 0.5 Fry 5.4 228 0.121 32 .7% Barneys 1992 Aug. 13 1 0 .5 Parr 9.1 118 0.471 66.3% 98 .9% Barneys 1992 Aug. . 13 2 0.5 Fry 5.7 209 0.139 34 .~% Barneys 1992 Aug. 13 2 0.5 Parr 10 .1 41 0.618 30 . % 64.7% Barneys 1992 Aug. 13 3 3 Fry 129 5.4 183 0.121 26.20/0 Barneys 1992 . Aug. 13 3 3 Parr 42 10 .3 54 0 .651 42.2% 68 .4% Barneys 1992 Aug . 13 4 0 .5 Fry 5.4 79 0.121 11 .4% Barneys 1992 Aug. 13 4 0.5 Parr 11 .3 20 0.829 19.9% 31 .3%

East 1993 Sept. 9 4 3 Fry 27 44 5 64 0.099 7.5% East 1993 Sept. 9 4 3 Parr 17 19 8 .1 27 0.348 11 .4% 18.8% East 1993 Sept. 9 5 0.5 Fry 65 4.5

I I Table 9. Contlnued ....

# of Life 5 Min Mean Est Terrltory Total County River Year Month Day Site # Sweeps Stage Catch Catch Lgth Density Size PHS PHS

East 1993 Sept. 9 5 0.5 Parr 18 8.3 East 1993 Sept. 9 8 0.5 Fry 57 5 .3 East 1993 Sept 9 8 0.5 Parr 41 8.7 East 1992 Aug . 5 3 4 Fry 165 4.2 88 0.063 6.5% East 1992 Aug . 5 3 4 Parr 49 8 .6 34 0.406 16 .7% 23 .2% East 1992 Aug. 6 4 0.5 Fry 337 4 .4 315 0.071 26 .5% East 1992 Aug . 6 4 0.5 Parr 93 7.7 64 0 .305 23 .1% 49.7% East 1992 Aug. 5 5 0.5 Fry 4.4 164 0.071 13 .8% East 1992 Aug . 5 5 0.5 Parr 7.8 37 0 .315 13 .8% 27 .6% East 1992 Aug . 6 6 0.5 Fry 5 .1 89 0 .104 11 .0% East 1992 Aug . 6 6 0.5 Parr . 15 . . 11 .0% East 1992 Aug. 7 7 4 Fry 4 .2 217 0.063 16 .2% East 1992 Aug. 7 7 4 Parr 8.3 114 0.371 50 .1% 66 .2%

French 1992 Aug. 7 1 0.5 Fry 5.6 215 0.133 34 .0% French 1992 Aug. 7 1 0.5 Parr 9 .6 21 0 .542 13.5% 47 .5% French 1992 Aug. 7 2 0.5 Fry 5 .6 131 0.133 20 .6% French 1992 Aug. 7 2 0.5 Parr 9 .6 24 0.542 15 .2% 35 .8% French 1992 Aug. 7 3 3 Fry 91 5.5 156 0.127 23 .5% French 1992 Aug. 7 3 3 Parr 16 10 .2 29 0 .635 22.0% 45 .5%

River John 1993 Sept 10 1 0 .5 . Fry 0 River John 1993 Sept 10 1 0 .5 Parr 27 9 River John 1993 Sept 10 2 0 .5 Fry 11 5.4 River John 1993 Sept 10 2 0 .5 Parr 34 8.6 River John 1993 Sept 10 3 0 .5 Fry 54 4.8 River John . 1993 Sept 10 3 0 .5 Parr 27 8.9 River John 1993 Sept 10 4 0 .5 Fry 35 4.8 River John 1993 Sept 10 4 0 .5 Parr 10 8.9 River John 1993 Sept 10 5 0 .5 Fry 17 6.1 River John 1993 Sept . 10 5 0 .5 Parr 9 9.7 River John 1993 Sept . 10 6 0 .5 Fry 9 6 .1 River John 1993 Sept 10 6 0 .5 Parr 11 10.4

Sutherlands 1992 Aug. 12 1 0 .5 Fry 5 .3 179 0.115 24.4% Sutherlands 1992 Aug . 12 1 0 .5 Parr 9.4 76 0.513 46 .6% 71 .0% Sutherlands 1992 Aug . 12 2 0 .5 Fry . 21 . Sutherlànds 1992 Aug. 12 2 0.5 Parr . 15 . . Sutheriands 1992 Aug. 12 3 0.5 Fry 4.5 393 0.075 35 .0% Sutherlands 1992 Aug. 12 3 0.5 Parr 8.7 53 0.419 26.5% 61 .5% 44

Table 10. Summary of salmonid species captured (P) in the electrofishing surveys selected rivers in Gulf Nova Scotia.

Atlantic Speckled Brown Rainbow River Salmon Trout Trout Trou t

River Philip P P P P

Wallace P -

River John P P

East R. (Pictou Co.) P P P

French R. P P

Sutherlands R.

Barneys R. P P

West R . (Ant. Co.)

Pomquet River P P P

Afton River 45

East Rive r

Figure 1 . GulfNova Scotia coastline indicating Atlantic salmon rivers mentioned in text as well as statistical districts. 46

1977 1979 1981 1983 1985 1987 1989 1991 1993

1 1 0 ' qt-- 0~ 1 --ÎÎ I 1 ' 1977 1979 1981 . 1983 1985 1987 1989 1991 199 3

Figure 2 . Large salmon catch (upper) and small salmon catch (lower) relative to the 1992 catch from River Philip, East River (Pictou) and West River (Ant.), 1977 to 1993. 47

-e- East R. -■ R . Philip -~- West R .

i U TTTT 4 - 1977 1979 1981 1983 1985 1987 1989 1991 1993 f East R. -■ R. Philip ~ West R.

Figure 3 . Large salmon (upper) and small salmon (lower) CPUE relative to 1992 for River Philip, East River (Pictou) and West River (Ant .), 1977 to 1993 . 48

West River Large Salmon CPU E West River Small Salmon CPU E 1 .6

1 .4 ------

1 .2 ------

1 ------

0.8 ------

0.6 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993

East River Large Salmon CPUE East River Small Salmon CPU E 1 . 2

0.6

0.4

02 02 1989 1990 1991 1992 199 3 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993

River Philip Large Salmon CPUE River Philip Small Salmon CPU E

0.4 I 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 04 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993

Figure 4. Abundance indices of large salmon and small salmon based on CPUE from logbooks (triangles) and license stub returns (squares) for three rivers of Gulf Nova Scotia . 49 West River (Ant.)

2 1 . 4

o I. . . ll J~l . . lUL . ,1~~~~~111.11 o • ~ , 258 284" 270 276 282 288 294 300 258' 64 ' ' 270276 ' •2 282 ••• 28830 294 •~ 0 Day of the Year (Oct. 9- 282) Day of the Year (Oct. 9- 282)

East River

2 1

É0 .4 - - - - tô~

fi 0 .2 M

258L~Olfad 284 270 278 282 ~ 288.~l~l~ 294 300 ' 258 264 270 278 282 288 294 Day of the Year (Oct 9- 282) Day of the Year (Oct 9- 282 )

River Philip

1 1

0 ...... ,...... ü . . lMI 04 .. , . . . . 284 270 278 'f!282tFW ,F'F 288 294 300 258 284 270 278 282 288 1244, 30 0 Day of the Year (Oct. 9- 282) Day of the Year (Oct. 9- 282)

Figure 5. Run timing of small and large salmon into the West River (Ant.), East River (Pictou), and River Philip based on the logbook CPUE for 1990 .